Patriots and Abraham Set to Resume Talks

NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko

On Friday the Patriots hosted three veteran Pro Bowl defenders. To this point they have one signed, sealed and delivered. Safety Adrian Wilson agreed to terms late Friday to solidify the safety rotation. Since Friday, everyone surrounding John Abraham and Dwight Freeney have gone quiet.

Where do things stand with Pro Bowl DE John Abraham?

NEPD has learned according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations that the Patriots and Abraham are expected to resume talks again on Monday. According to the source the two sides are “trying to resolve a few issues” that would lead to Abraham becoming a member of the Patriots.

I’m told that the tenor of the talks are optimistic and Abraham is “very excited about the opportunity”. He wants to play in New England and it’s just a matter of resolving the final issues. While there is still a chance the talks break down (anything can happen), there is still a good chance the Patriots can wrap up Abraham on Monday.

Why must we wait until Monday for talks to resume? It’s likely because Bill Belichick and some of the high ranking members of the Patriots are traveling to Arizona for the league meetings today.

On the Dwight Freeney front, I have absolutely nothing. I haven’t heard a word about his visit, how it went of the likelihood of him signing.

34 Responses to “Patriots and Abraham Set to Resume Talks”

BB usually values (the swiss army knife like players ) like Denard Robinson, but he would too high in the draft to be considered. I like Marqueis Gray for late round consideration, at Minnesota’s pro day he worked out in 3 positions QB/WR/TE and threw very well at the combine. He’s 6’3″ 239lbs 40yd 4.65 4.67. Maybe 7th round.

Good question ! My thoughts are if we sign WR Sanders, then a deal for Mallett is likely. (I still like Cleveland) If we don’t sign Sanders then my guess is much nearer the draft day we could see a deal.

I think there are several teams that are hoping to get their hands on Geno Smith, who’s been impressive by all reports during the combine and his pro-day, starting from Oakland, maybe even Phily, Browns, Arizona, Bills and even Tampa.
So, as soon as Smith is off the board, I wouldn’t be surprised the rest of those teams make an attempt at striking a trade deal involving Mallet.

i.E. a Mallet trade may well be looked at as a back-up option to getting Smith in the draft by several teams out there.

Besides Cleveland , Tampa is the only other team I have heard in Mallett trade talk. I also think Tampa wants to move up in the draft with the Patriots 1st (#29) pick. Tampa would like to get a starting DT, AND a starting CB in the draft. They are also thinking of a QB. So it is very likely a big deal, could go down.
One thought;
QB Mallett, DE J. Cunningham, and the Patriots #29 pick, for Tampa’s 2nd #43, and a 1st pick in 2014.

Tampa is indeed looking like a serious candidate considering they’d be likely looking for a new starting QB and also relatively deep position in the draft making it unlikely they get G. Smith.
But they are not the only candidates as several other teams (Bills, Arizona, Raiders) have a bunch of QBs on their roster but that’s just for body-counting purposes and not much else, at this point.

The closer we get to draft day, the more clear this situation would become. There are some good back QB options out there, so I’d expect to see Seattle don’t cut/trade Flynn. Teams like Arizona, Tampa and the Bills would be prime candidates for his services as he is probably the only QB free-agent-to-be that is at the starting-material level. Whichever teams gets him, would be obviously out of the Geno Smith race.

Once the QB landscape gets defined better with Flynn likely landing a starting job on a new team, the rest of the QB-needing teams will re-assess their options and chances for getting Smith in the draft, so it’s then I’d expect some of them giving Mallet a more serious thought.

The Patriot draft is looking some what clearer. I still think they trade back, still looks like Tampa to me; 1st#29 for 2nd #43, 4th #109, and 4th #123, so the Patroits draft looks like;

#43-
#59-
#91-
#109-
#123-

Second choice trade would have the Patriots 1st #29, 3d #91, and a 3d next year, going to Cincinnati, for thier; 2nd #37,2nd #53, and 5th #149 This would have the Patriots draft looks like;
#37-
#53-
#59-
#149-

agreed except on D. Jones, who may well be seen as a better interior pass-rusher, than a n edge rusher … especially with the possibility of him gaining an extra 10-15 lbs, which he can definitely handle.

Other than that, with the depth at DE position (assuming one of Abraham or Freeney, possibly on top of Scott, is signed) and the lack of picks this year, it would make perfect sense if other positions of need (DL, cover LB, WR, OL) are addressed in the draft.

Why r people so hung up about losing woodhead, his yards per carry were not all that great. I really think u wont notice he’s gone, Shane Vareen can be just as good of a 3rd down back and Leon Washington is a similar type player who can also double as a return man.

Scott is an UFA, so he isn’t a Pats player as of right now. Good chance imo they resign him but that’s yet to happen.

Assuming Abraham get signed and assuming Scott re-signs, I think the Cunningham would be premier candidates to get cut, depending on how Armstead fits in.
With Armstead and Francis being able to give you interior pass-rush, I can see BB lose patience with Cunningham due to his relative lack of development despite being here for 3 full years now. imo, Scott did a very nice job last year despite being new on the team.

Imo, JC’s best bet for staying on the roster is closely related to Armstead failing to impress, Bequette busting out and/or Scott not being signed at all.

that’s what happens when you overpay for a situational pass rusher in Mark Anderson. He’s not a full-time starting DE because he has issues against the run but is a very good pass rusher when allowed to just do that. His 2006 and 2011 seasons proved that

Time for everybody to step up and not solely rely on Brady..Welker is gone; Bmore figured us out and it was time to change the offense, the tight ends & rb’s are young and BB will run them until the wheels fall off until they become men.
Abraham has a lot left in the tank and will likely have a huge season on a team that Defense could be ahead of the offense. That Armstead kid will contribute some and cant forget yr 2 jump for CJOnes, Hightower and DEnnard. Welker on the Broncos should force BB to still draft Defense, big play Wr and oline.
A nice blend of vets along with the core young guys should take this team over the top! Oh yeah, Leon Washington doing what he does best, return kicks, Sanders could too, that’s a major upgrade and backup plan in place to a well needed phase of the game.

TB12: Took a pay “CUT” because he was tired of getting 2 the Super Bowl again and again & not making it. When NE won look at the Defensive Staff…….
Willie McGiness,
Vrable,
Rodney Harrison,
Teddy Johnson,
Teddy Bruschi,
Ty Law,
& so many more.

Sorry, but the moves like letting Danny Woodhead go, nevermind Wes Welker over a single Million …….and signing more plug-in hopefuls while crushing draft picks down the drain on the regular?
I highly doubt that’s what Tom Brady had in mind!
Their best to dump excess weight like Mallet & more, gain picks back, + use a cpl next year picks AND MAKE REAL DRAFT MOVES…
“TAKE” what we need now out of this draft and make it worth while!!!!!!
Guy’s like Abraham WILL NOT DO IT.

Really, you dont think abraham will not help he only had 10 sacks in 10 to 12 games. I no its a band aid but he can rush the passer better than anyone we have on the team.. even thou i wish we got OC from the gmen because he is alot younger but abraham will be an upgrade at position

It’s not really a band aid, it’s getting a good situational pass rusher by signing a contract; no picks, no trade, nothing.

If a guy like that can help pressure QB’s why not? It will most likely be a 1-2 year team friendly deal as most of these FA’s know 2013-2014 are not going to be money years with a flat cap and most teams at or over it every year.

Except for a couple of guys, there is not crazy or even big money for these FA’s. That’s why most of them are not signing: Vollmer, Long, Ed Reed, Freeney, Abraham, etc.

Alright: The year with both Carter & Anderson I’ll give ya’;
If Brady is good for 3more years-wouldn’t piecing an actual backfield together so when NE makes it back 2the AFC Champ game OR Super Bowl, that they can actually “GET IT DONE”!
Hence a reason why 2take a pay cut like that so $$$ could be spent on the draft & 2 Straight-Up Play makers? ?!!
Some Actual Filet MINION, VS. Lower tear hopefuls?